Pressing device

ABSTRACT

A LETTER PRESSING DEVICE HAVING A HEATING ELEMENT SLIDABLY DISPOSED ON ARMS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON A BASE PLATE WHEREBY THE HEATING ELEMENT IS MOVED HORIZONTALLY AND VERTICALLY INTO OVERLYING RELATION WITH THE GARMENT AND THEN MOVED DOWNWARDLY BY CAMS TO PRESS THE GARMENT.

United States Patent f 3,567,560 PRESSING DEVICE David C. Stiff, 2014 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Tex. 75206 Filed Aug. 9, 1968, Ser. No. 751,492 Int. Cl. B30b /34; A47j 51/22 US. Cl. 156583 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A letter pressing device having a heating element slidably disposed on arms pivotally mounted on a base plate whereby the heating element is moved horizontally and vertically into overlying relation with the garment and then moved downwardly by cams to press the garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Letters and numerals are often placed on baseball caps and athletic uniforms by applying heat and pressure to precut specially treated heat responsive letters and monograms to iron on the design and cause it to adhere to the supporting surface. Letter pressing devices heretofore developed have been unduly complicated.

The complexity of such devices, dictating the sales price thereof, has placed an undue financial burden upon owners of sporting goOdS establishments and has resulted in the charging of exorbitant prices for monogrammed athletic uniforms.

The complexity of letter press-on devices heretofore developed has evolved from modified designs of large pressing devices for ironing large garments such as shirts, trousers, coats and the like.

No letter pressing device heretofore developed has been oifered to the sporting goods establishments incorporating simplified structure, and consequently a reasonable sales price, which was simple to operate, thereby assuring that letters and numerals would be inexpensively and properly positioned on the garments.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION I have developed a letter pressing device designed for the express purpose of applying letters, numerals and personalized monograms upon garments such as baseball caps and athletic uniforms.

The invention disclosed and claimed herein incorporates spaced arms pivotally connected to a base plate having a heating element slideably disposed therebetween which is urged upwardly by springs. The heating element may be urged downwardly, against the force exerted by the springs, by cams connected to a handle.

The pressure head, secured to the base plate, receives and supports the garment, such as a baseball cap, which is to be monogrammed. The spaced arms, bearing the heating element are then pivoted over the pressing head and the garment and downward pressure on the handle causes the cams to urge the heating element downwardly to iron the heat responsive design thereon. Upward movement of the handle raises the heating element which may be pivoted from over the pressure head.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the invention to provide a letter pressing device of simple design which may be furnished to suppliers of athletic equipment at a reasonable price.

3,567,560 Patented Mar. 2, 1971 A further object of the invention is to provide a letter pressing device incorporating a tension adjustment on the pressure head whereby the force exerted by the pressure head and the heating element upon the garment to be monogrammed may be regulated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a letter pressing device incorporating means for automatically aligning the pressure head with the curved lower surface of the sole plate of the heating element.

A further object of the invention is to provide a letter pressing device in which the heating element and the sole plate connected thereto are moved vertically to engage the letter or numeral positioned upon a garment as pressure is exerted between the sole plate and the head of the letter pressing device.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the drawing annexed hereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention are provided so that the invention may be better and more fully understood, in which:

FIG: I is a perspective view of the letter pressing device showing a baseball cap positioned thereon in dashed outline;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the letter pressing device illustrating the position of the heating element when it is pivoted away from the pressure head;

FIG. III is a side elevational view with parts broken away to more clearly illustrate details of construction with the heating element and sole plate positioned over the pressure head;

FIG. IV is a front elevational view of the letter pressing device with the heating element in the position illustrated in FIG. III of the drawing;

FIG. V is an enlarged perspective view of the heating element and the associated electrical controls mounted on the sole plate;

FIG. VI is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along lines VIVI of FIG. I; and

FIG. VII is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along lines VIIVII of FIG. II.

Numerical references are employed to designate parts in the drawings and like numerals designate like parts throughout the various figures of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I of the drawing, the numeral 1 generally designates a letter pressing device incorporating the present invention.

Letter pressing device 1 has a base plate 2 which forms a general frame or support upon which other components thereof are mounted. Base plate 2 may assume any desired configuration.

The mounting bracket 4 is rigidly secured to base plate 2 by bolts 6, which extend through spaced holes in said bracket, and wing nuts 8 which threadedly engage said bolts 6.

Bracket 4 has upturned portions 10 disposed in spaced apart relation at opposite ends thereof. Each upturned portion 10 has outwardly extending flange portions 11 and 12 at opposite sides thereof.

Stops 13 and 14 are disposed adjacent the upper edges of flanges 11 and 12, respectively, for limiting movement of arms 16, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Spaced arms 16 are pivotally connected to a central position of each upturned member by bolts 18 which extend through aligned holes in the upturned portion 10 of bracket 4 and in the lower end of arms 16. Lock nuts 20 engage a threaded portion of each bolt 18.

A suitable bearing surface, such as washer 22 is provided between the upturned portion 10 and each movable arm 16.

An axle 24 extends through collar 26 and has the opposite ends thereof rigidly connected to the upper ends of arms 16. Collar 26 is free to rotate relative to axle 2 4.

Cams 28 are disposed in spaced apart relation and are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to opposite ends of collar 26.

A suitable stop 29 is mounted on at least one of the earns 28 and is positioned to engage arm 16 to limit rotation of earns 28.

Each cam element 28 has a curved portion 30 at one end thereof which engages the upper surface of heating element sole plate 40.

A handle 32 is pivotally connected to at least one of the cam elements 28 for imparting rotation thereto. In the particular embodiment illustrated in the drawing handle 32 is substantially U-shaped and has the ends thereof connected to the cam element 28 by bolts 34. Handle 32 when pivoted forward engages collar 26. However, when pivoted rearwardly, the handle extends downwardly in substantially parallel relation to arms 16 to facilitate storing when not in use.

Each arm 16 has an elongated slot 35 extending longitudinally along a central portion thereof and has a guide member 36 slideably disposed therein.

Guide members 36 are rigidly connected by screws 38 to opposite ends of sole plate 40'. Suitable retracting means is provided for urging sole plate 40' toward the upper ends of arms 16. In the particuiar embodiment illustrated in the drawing, springs 42 are anchored to opposite ends of axle 24 and to one of the screws 38 connecting guide member 36 to sole plate 40.

Suitable replaceable bearing surfaces 44 are provided on the upper edges of sole plate 48 along the path of contact between the upper edges of sole plate 40 and curved surfaces 30 of earns 28. Preferably, bearing surfaces 44 are constructed of a material, such as brass, having a hardness less than that of cams 28 which may be constructed of any suitable material such as steel. Wear between cams 28 and surfaces 44 is restricted to the bearing surfaces which are easily replaced.

From the foregoing it should be readily apparent that a downward force on handle 32 imparts rotation to earns 28 and collar 26 thereby urging sole plate 40 downwardly against springs 42. An upward force on handle 32 im parts rotation to cams 28 in the opposite direction and springs 42 urge sole plate 40 upwardly.

While the lower surface of sole plate 40 may assume any desired configuration, the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. V of the drawing has a curved lower surface 46, having a concave curvature corresponding to that of the convex upper surface 48 of pressure head 50 as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

A conventional heating element 52 mounted on the upper surface of sole plate 40, is connected through cord 54 to any suitable source of electricity, such as a conventional outlet. Line 54a, connected, for example, to the positive terminal of the source of power, is connected through line 56, on-off switch 58, and lines and 62 to one side of heating element 52. Line 54b, connected for example, to the negative terminal of the source of electricity, is connected through line 61 to contact 62 of thermostatic control 64. Contact 66 of thermostatic control device 64 is connected through lines 68 and 70 to the other side of heating element 52.

One end of bimetallic strip 72 positioned adjacent to the upper surface of sole plate 40 is fixed and the motion of the other end moves contact 62 relative to contact 66 to open and close the electric control circuit.

A pilot light 74 is connected between line 60 through resistor 76 to line 68. Pilot light 74 is illuminated when sole plate 46 reaches a predetermined temperature con= trolled by thermostat 64.

A suitable cover 78 is provided for enclosing heating 1O element 52 and the electrical circuit associated therewith. Control knob 80, for regulating the temperature at which thermostat 64 opens the circuit, extends through the upper surface of cover 78. On-off switch '58 extends through the front of cover 78 and a window is provided whereby light 74 is visible through the front surface of said cover.

Pressure head 50 consists of a curved member 82, preferably constructed of a material which is a nonconductor of heat, has a layer 84 of suitable insulating material, such as asbestos, disposed along the upper surface thereof. A suitable heat resistant cover 86 is provided over the upper portion of pressure head 50. It is desirable that cover 86 be removable, allowing same to be replaced if it becomes scorched or soiled.

Curved member 82 has a bored hole 88 centrally located in the lower side thereof for receiving the upper end of pin 90. Referring to FIG. VI, it should be noted that the diameter of hole 88 is greater than that of pin 90 and that pin 90 is pivotally secured therein by a key 92 extending through an opening in the upper end of said pin and through a portion of curved member 82.

Pin 90, extending downwardly from the lower side of curved member 82, is slideably disposed in tubular member 94, the lower end of said tubular member being welded or otherwise rigidly secured to bracket 4. It should also be noted, FIG, VI, that the inside diameter of tubular member 94 is greater than the outside diameter of pin 90.

Pin 90 has an elongated slot 96 extending through a tower portion thereof, best illustrated in FIG. III. Diametrically opposed openings 98 are disposed in spaced apart reiation along a central portion of tubular member 94. A pin 100 extends through a pair of aligned openings 98 in tubular member 94 and through slot 96 in pin 90 g to slideably secure pin 90 in tubular member 94.

Pin 90 extends through an opening in seat ring washer 102 which is disposed above and engages the upper end of tubular member 94. A compression spring 104 is positioned around pin 90 between seat ring 102 and washers 106 which engage the lower surface of curved member 82 of pressure head 50.

Additional washers 106 may be added to increase the pressure exerted by spring 104, urging pressure head 50 upwardly. Washers 106 may be removed to reduce the pressure.

A collar 108 is slidably disposed on tubular member 94 and has a hold-down member or hanger 110 welded or otherwise rigidly secured thereto and positioned to project outwardly from the tubular member 94. A set screw 112 extends through the wall of coliar 108 and engages tubular member 94 to adjustably secure collar 108 relative thereto.

The operation and function of the device as hereinbefore described is as follows:

Cord 54 is plugged into a suitable electric outlet and switch 58 is placed in the on position to deliver current to heating element 52, thereby causing sole plate 40 to be heated to a predetermined temperature in accordance with the setting on thermostatic control 64.

The height of pressure head 50 is adjusted by positioning pin 100 in the appropriate openings 98 in tubular member 94. Pin 100 may be utilized to compensate for varying thicknesses of garments upon which letters are to be affixed.

The desired pressure to be exerted between pressure head '50 and sole plate 40 may be adjusted by adding or removing washers 106 between spring 104 and the lower surface of pressure head 50.

With arms 16 pivoted rearwardly in engagement with stop 14, the garment to which the letter is to be affixed, such as baseball cap 114, is positioned over pressure head 50. Collar 108 and hanger 110 may be adjusted vertically by loosening set screw 112 to maintain cap 114 in a taut condition.

The use of hold-down member or hanger 110 saves considerable time in applying letters to several caps which are substantially the same size. For instance, in pressing letters on caps of a baseball team of twelve year old boys, hanger 110 may be adjusted to a single height to accommodate most of the caps. To place the cap over pressure head 50 the back of the cap is first hooked under hanger 110 and the crown of the cap is then pulled over pressure head 50, causing the cap to be held in a snug, smooth position. Letter 116 is then positioned in the desired location on the cap.

When light 74 is burning sole plate 40 is at the desired temperature.

Arms 16 are pivoted about bolts 18, causing sole plate 40 to be positioned above pressure head 50 with the cap 114 and letter 116 positioned therebetween.

Application of a downward force on handle 32 imparts rotation to collar 26- and cams 28, thereby urging sole plate 40' downwardly against the tension of springs 42.

As sole plate 40 engages cap 114 on pressure head 50, continued downward force on handle 32 moves pressure head 50 downwardly against the tension of spring 104 to the position illustrated in FIGS. III and IV of the drawing at which time cams 28 are locked in position because of the curvature thereof.

From the foregoing it should be readily apparent that optimum pressure and temperature are exerted upon letter 116 to affix same to cap 114. When heat and pressure have been applied to letter 116 for a desired period of time an upward force on handle 32 rotates cams 28, causing springs 42 to raise sole plate 40 to the retracted position. Arms 16 are then pivoted rearwardly to engage stop 14.

Cap 114 is then removed, letter 116 being affixed thereto.

It should be appreciated that letters may be aflixed to other garments besides baseball caps by merely positioning the portion of the garment to be monogrammed over pressure head 50 and performing the steps hereinbefore described.

From the foregoing it should be readily apparent that I have developed a letter pressing device which accomplishes the objects hereinbefore set forth.

The letter pressing device is extremely simple to manufacture and to operate While providing regulated temperature and pressure necessary for performing quality letter pressing operations.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a pressing device, a base; spaced arms pivotally mounted adjacent opposite sides of the base; a plate extending between the said arms; a slidable connection between the arms and each end of the plate; resilient means between the arms and plate for urging the plate longitudinally of said arms toward an end thereof; actuating means between the arms and the plate engageable with the plate for moving the plate longitudinally of said arms toward another end thereof; heater means carried by the plate for heating same; mounting means extending upwardly from a central portion of the base; and a pressure head on the upper end of the mounting means between the spaced arms engageable with the plate when the plate is moved to a position above the pressure head and then moved longitudinally of the arms to engage same.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the actuating means includes an axle extending between the upper ends of the spaced arms; a rotatable member mounted on said axle; a handle secured to the rotatable 1 slots in the arms and one each of each spring is secured to one of the guide members and the other ends of the springs are secured to the ends of the axle.

5. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of a second resilient member between the mounting means and the pressure head to urge the pressure head upwardly.

6. The combination called for in claim 5 wherein the mounting means comprises a tubular member extending upwardly from the base; a pin slidably disposed in and extending above the upper end of said tubular member; interengaging means between the pin and the tubular member for limiting longitudinal movement of the pin relative to the tubular member; and the second resilient means is connected between the pin and the tubular member, and the pressure head is mounted on the upper end of the pin.

7. The combination called for in claim 6 with the addition of means between the pressure head and the second resilient means for adjusting force exerted by the resilient means upon the pressure head.

8. The combination called for in claim 6 with the addition of hold-down means secured to the tubular member and means to adjust the hold-down means vertically on the tubular member such that a front portion of a baseball cap having a back portion secured to the hold-down means will be held snugly against the pressure head.

9. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the plate has a concave lower surface and the pressure head has a convex upper surface.

10. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means for heating the plate includes a thermostat control for regulating the temperature of the plate.

11. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of a bracket detachably secured to the base; means to pivotally secure the spaced arms to opposite ends of the bracket; and means to secure the mounting means to a central portion of the bracket.

12. The combination called for in claim 11 with the addition of stop means between the bracket and the arms to limit pivotal movement of the arms in both directions.

13. The combination called for in claim 2 with the addition of a stop between the cam and one of the arms to limit rotation of the cam with reference to the plate.

14. The combination called for in claim 2 with the addition of a bearing surface between the cam and the plate of material relatively softer than the material of the cam.

15. In a pressing device, a base; a head secured to the base; at least one support member having a lower end connectable to the base; a plate slidably connected to the support member and movable longitudinally thereof; means to pivotally secure the lower end of the support member to the base; means in heat exchange relation with the plate for heating same; and actuating means for pivoting the support member relative to the base to move the plate over the head and for sliding the plate longitudinally of the support member toward the head.

16. In a device for providing heat and pressure for securing heat sensitive figures to an article comprising, a base member; a heated member; article supporting means secured to the base; means secured between the base and the heated member to move the heated member in a horizontal direction between a first position wherein the heated member is not over the supporting means and a second position wherein the heated member is spaced vertically above the supporting means; and means to move the heated member in a substantially straight path between the second position and a third position wherein the heated means is in pressure engagement with a heat sensitive figure on an article on the article supporting means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,053,950 9/1936 Franklin 38-99X 3,174,892 3/1965 Fichtner 156583 3,450,031 6/1969 Peterson 100-93(P) BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner J. J. DEVITT, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

